HC Capwell department store, which later merged with The Emporium (ca 1910-15).

Image 2 of 11 - Oakland post cards

HC Capwell department store, which later merged with The Emporium (ca 1910-15).

HC Capwell department store, which later merged with The Emporium (ca...1910-15).

Image 3 of 11|Oakland post cards

Venetian rooftop garden, HC Capwell department store (ca 1910-15).

Image 3 of 11 - Oakland post cards

Venetian rooftop garden, HC Capwell department store (ca 1910-15).

Venetian rooftop garden, HC Capwell department store (ca 1910-15).

Image 4 of 11|Oakland post cards

Cows at Oakland's Lake Merritt (ca 1911).

Image 4 of 11 - Oakland post cards

Cows at Oakland's Lake Merritt (ca 1911).

Cows at Oakland's Lake Merritt (ca 1911).

Image 5 of 11|Oakland post cards

Written on the back of the Lake Merritt photo: Dec 4, 1911, "Dear Belle, We will look for you Saturday morning as early as possible, bring the striped dress and mother will fix the neck. Also come prepared to take a swim in our tank. I hope the rain does not keep you away as you will not have very far to walk. Take Mastick train - get out at Bay station. Walk to Martin & Santa Clara. We're on the corner (SW). May.
Interestingly, there are two postmarks. One was Dec. 5, 1911. Another was from the Panama Pacific Exposition that was held in San Francisco in 1915. The date Sep 7, 1942 is also stamped on the back.

Image 5 of 11 - Oakland post cards

Written on the back of the Lake Merritt photo: Dec 4, 1911, "Dear Belle, We will look for you Saturday morning as early as possible, bring the striped dress and mother will fix the neck. Also come prepared to take a swim in our tank. I hope the rain does not keep you away as you will not have very far to walk. Take Mastick train - get out at Bay station. Walk to Martin & Santa Clara. We're on the corner (SW). May.
Interestingly, there are two postmarks. One was Dec. 5, 1911. Another was from the Panama Pacific Exposition that was held in San Francisco in 1915. The date Sep 7, 1942 is also stamped on the back.

Written on the back of the Lake Merritt photo: Dec 4, 1911, "Dear...Belle, We will look for you Saturday morning as early as possible,...bring the striped dress and mother will fix the neck. Also come...prepared to take a swim in our tank. I hope the rain does not keep you...away as you will not have very far to walk. Take Mastick train - get...out at Bay station. Walk to Martin & Santa Clara. We're on the corner...(SW). May.
Interestingly, there are two postmarks. One was Dec. 5,...1911. Another was from the Panama Pacific Exposition that was held in...San Francisco in 1915. The date Sep 7, 1942 is also stamped on the...back.

Image 6 of 11|Oakland post cards

Oakland City Hall Square (ca 1910-15).

Image 6 of 11 - Oakland post cards

Oakland City Hall Square (ca 1910-15).

Oakland City Hall Square (ca 1910-15).

Image 7 of 11|Oakland post cards

Bird's eye view of Oakland, CA First National Bank in the Foreground (ca 1910-15)

Image 7 of 11 - Oakland post cards

Bird's eye view of Oakland, CA First National Bank in the Foreground (ca 1910-15)

Bird's eye view of Oakland, CA First National Bank in the Foreground...(ca 1910-15)

Image 8 of 11|Oakland post cards

Downtown Oakland. The misprint on the card says owntown. This post card is later than the others, dating around the 1930's or 40's.

Image 8 of 11 - Oakland post cards

Downtown Oakland. The misprint on the card says owntown. This post card is later than the others, dating around the 1930's or 40's.

Downtown Oakland. The misprint on the card says owntown. This post...card is later than the others, dating around the 1930's or 40's.

Shattuck Avenue. This one is in Berkeley. It was the only one from Berkeley in the batch. A reader's keen eye noticed a Western Auto sign which was established in 1921. so, this image is dated from sometime after that.

Image 10 of 11 - Oakland post cards

Shattuck Avenue. This one is in Berkeley. It was the only one from Berkeley in the batch. A reader's keen eye noticed a Western Auto sign which was established in 1921. so, this image is dated from sometime after that.

Shattuck Avenue. This one is in Berkeley. It was the only one from...Berkeley in the batch. A reader's keen eye noticed a Western Auto sign...which was established in 1921. so, this image is dated from sometime...after that.

Image 11 of 11|Oakland post cards

Oakland, CA, Lake Merritt, from Union Bank. (East Oakland and Piedmond (s/b Piedmont?) Heights in the background. Notice that there are no houses in the hills (ca 1910-15)

Image 11 of 11 - Oakland post cards

Oakland, CA, Lake Merritt, from Union Bank. (East Oakland and Piedmond (s/b Piedmont?) Heights in the background. Notice that there are no houses in the hills (ca 1910-15)

Oakland, CA, Lake Merritt, from Union Bank. (East Oakland and Piedmond...(s/b Piedmont?) Heights in the background. Notice that there are no...houses in the hills (ca 1910-15)

I was at the Alemany flea market on Sunday when I spotted a box of photos. There were several postcards mixed in. I don’t normally buy postcards. But I was taken by some local ones that depicted Oakland as far back at 102 years ago.

I lived in Oakland from 1991-1993, when I first moved to California. A friend had just purchased a bungalow-style house in the Temescal district, which eventually became known as “Baja Rockridge.” Even at that time Oakland had a reputation for being a little rough around the edges. Save for one unfortunate incident shortly after moving there, the experience was a good one. The weather was great for growing vegetables. I actually knew and liked my neighbors. We watched out for each other. We had an elderly couple from Kansas on one side, another elderly neighbor on the older side who remembered when the area had a large Italian population. I would sometimes hear her speaking Italian.

I’d wander over to Piedmont Avenue, browse shops on Telegraph, head over to College Avenue, or walk among the stately homes in the hills (pre-fire). Ironically, it was when BART threatened to strike about 20 years ago that I decided it was time to move to the city. I hope you enjoy the little glimpse into Oakland’s past.